The bust of Taras Shevchenko in Borodianka has become more than just a monument to the great Ukrainian writer. A widely recognized photograph, showing the damaged bust standing before the ruins of a destroyed building — its head bowed, as if mourning the dead, has become an international symbol of Russian war crimes committed during the occupation of Borodianka.

The square where the monument stands is located at the intersection of Parkova and Tsentralna Streets. The latter became infamous for the brutal shelling by Russian forces, who deliberately targeted residential buildings with aerial bombs. One of the most devastating strikes occurred on March 2, 2022, hitting house №359, directly across from the Shevchenko monument. The impact split the building in half, destroying a large section of the structure. According to local residents, civilians from nearby houses had been sheltering in its basement. However, the rubble could only be cleared in April 2022, after the town was liberated.

This was not the only building in central Borodianka to suffer from Russian strikes. In total, eight apartment buildings and 500 private homes were destroyed, while 32 more residential buildings were damaged. The Russians used not only aerial bombs but also heavy artillery, causing widespread devastation.
Behind the monument stands the Palace of Culture, which was damaged by the blast wave, losing its windows and doors. During the battles for Borodianka, the Palace of Culture served as a shelter for 150 civilians, who remained there until they could be evacuated to safer areas. Following the liberation of the town, volunteers took part in restoring the building, allowing it to reopen and resume its role as a cultural center.

The monument itself also suffered damage. A Russian Su-25 aircraft strafed it with machine-gun fire, leaving numerous bullet marks on the bust. The pedestal was also damaged, yet the monument remained standing—a testament to Ukrainian resilience.